• Nov 11 / Varsity Boys SoccerLiberty High School - 3, St. Dominic - 2
  • Nov 8 / Varsity FootballLiberty High School - 20, North Point - 21
  • Nov 7 / Varsity Boys SoccerLiberty High School - 5, St. Dominic - 2
  • Nov 4 / Varsity Boys SoccerLiberty High School - 3, Battle - 0
  • Nov 1 / Varsity FootballLiberty High School - 49, Howell North - 7
Student News of Liberty High School

LHStoday
Student News of Liberty High School

LHStoday
Student News of Liberty High School

LHStoday
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Second-Half Rally Gives the Eagles the Win Over North Point

After his team was shutout in the first two quarters, James Alexander scores twice to lead the comeback
Byline photo of Marley Higlen
Marley Higlen, Reporter | September 22, 2024
Lilly Brown
Representing the “jailbreak” theme of the night, the student section gets loud as Liberty rallies to defeat North Point.
MaryKate Stroud

This week’s game was a hot one for sure. But despite the heat, the Eagles prevailed and won the game 15-12 over prevoiously undefaeted North Point. Both teams now have 3-1 records after four weeks.

The first two quarters were slow with flags on almost every play and with the Grizzlies smoking the field with a lead of 6-0. But in normal Eagles fashion, they didn’t stay down forever. A touchdown in the third quarter by James Alexander (11) and then another touchdown and 2-point conversion made by Alexander in the fourth quarter was enough to take over the score and win the game for Liberty.

Jack Ryan (12) stops North Point quarterback Hoyt Gregory (12) on a run. (Lilly Brown)

“I feel like the first half was a little rough, but the second half we really came in there and did what we had to do,” Alexander said.

The first quarter and second quarter are not much different in the long run. Both quarters were equally filled with flags and passes or handoffs to Jaylen Mack (11).

“It feels great to have that trust from my quarterback, my own line, everyone in the coaching line. It feels amazing,” Mack said.

The Grizzlies tried to get the jump on the Eagles with two touchdowns in the opening quarter, but both were flagged and no good. That relieved feeling didn’t last long for the Eagles though as the Grizzlies scored a touchdown a few plays later giving them a 6-0 lead. With a few more flags and walked-off injuries for each team, the first and second quarter wrapped up with the Grizzlies keeping the Eagles off the scoreboard.

“We felt pretty confident that if we did our jobs defensively we could stop what they were gonna do offensively,” defensive coordinator Ken Nowling said. Nowling and the rest of the coaches really put their heads together for the third and fourth quarters.

The third quarter started off with the Grizzlies getting another touchdown followed by a failed 2-point conversion leaving the score 12-0, North Point. But like Nowling said, it’s about their confidence as a team. The Eagles made a swinging comeback with their first touchdown of the night made on a 3-yard run by Alexander followed by a Matthew Mauck extra point making the score 12-7, North Point.

Coach McMillen goes over a play with the linemen during a break. (Lacie Coffman)

Going into the last quarter, the Eagles took the lead for good. With 11:05 left in the game, Alexander made his way into the endzone on a short 1-yard run and he completed a successful 2-point conversion, which was enough to take over the score and win the game for the Eagles, 15-12.

“We just gotta play like we did tonight. We can fix some things, always. That’s how it’s gonna be with every game but if we play like we did tonight we will win every game for sure,” Jack Ryan (11) said.

Liberty 15, North Point 6 

North Point 6   0   6   0 – 6

Liberty         0   0    7   8 –  15

First Quarter
N: Kingston McPike 30 pass from Hoyt Gregory (pass failed), 3:41

Third Quarter
N: Jeremiah Mozee 16 pass from Hoyt Gregory (pass failed), 9:52
L: James Alexander 3 run (Matthew Mauck kick), 6:29

Fourth Quarter
L: James Alexander 1 run (James Alexander run), 11:05

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About the Contributors
Marley Higlen
Marley Higlen, Reporter
Marley Higlen is a dedicated and driven sophomore. This is her second year in publications and she will be the sports writer and reporter for publications this year. Higlen loves being in select treble choir and being on drama clubs exec board. All Higlen hopes for this year is to make a difference in her community whether that's big or small. Higlen’s older brother moved into collage at the beginning of the school year but that only makes her more determined to not just live up to him but continue to make the impact that he always wanted in this school. Higlen loves to work, fish and travel with family and friends. 

MaryKate Stroud
MaryKate Stroud, Reporter
MaryKate Stroud is a sophomore, and this is her first time in publications. MaryKate is one of the  managers for girls Varsity Basketball. MaryKate is also the President Elect for FCCLA. MaryKate enjoys doing sports photography and traveling. MaryKate’s favorite place that she traveled to was Italy in the summer of ´24. MaryKate plans on going to college after high school and is currently indecisive on where she wants to go, but she knows that she wants to go for broadcasting and human resources. 
Lacie Coffman
Lacie Coffman, Reporter
Lacie Coffman is a senior and this is her first year in publications. She has been a photographer for three years doing almost everything from sports, families, couples, senior portraits, pictures of her friends, businesses and so much more. She is currently a babysitter and has a huge passion for working with kids. She loves going to the gym and attending church on Wednesdays with her friends. She is an influencer for Mimi's Prom store and a model for Harvest Bloom, a senior photographer. She is so excited to see what her last bittersweet year of high school will bring her, everything she will learn and all the friendships she'll make.
Lilly Brown
Lilly Brown, Editor-in-Chief of The Talon
Lilly Brown is a senior, and is the editor-in-chief of the Talon yearbook as well as the social media manager for LHS Publications. This is her third year in publications and her second year as an editor. Lilly is also a part of girls swim, NHS, and Link Crew. Lilly also works at the Renaud outside of school as a gym attendant and front desk worker. In her free time she enjoys going to the gym, reading, puzzling, and playing Sims. Lilly plans on attending State Technical College of Missouri and pursuing a Digital Marketing degree after graduation.